Hundreds of billions of plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year, with less than 1% being recycled. Plastic bags have severe environmental impacts as they are often littered and end up polluting oceans and landscapes. When exposed to sunlight, plastic bags break down into microplastics that are mistaken for food and enter the food chain, harming wildlife such as whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. Many countries and cities have implemented restrictions or bans on plastic bags to reduce their usage and environmental effects.